What an incredible story produced by our efforts to represent Jesus and the church to the nation’s true heroes, our veterans, if they served in peacetime or war. Our effort this year was built around Luke 10:19, treading upon the serpents that are killing individuals, families, churches, and our nation. We all stood and stomped on the floor and committed to ‘treading on the serpent of INGRATITUDE’ over and over. The Lord commanded that we express thanksgiving; this was our heart, and WE SUCCEEDED.
RFTW’s statement is to “RIDE FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT.” On Sunday Morning, May 21, 2023, in a parking lot in Dallas, TX, I was blessed to share the scriptural foundation and proclaim the command of our Lord from Proverbs 31:8-9, “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, ensure justice for those being crushed, yes, speak up for the poor and helpless and see that they get justice.” Then share how Mission M25 stands for the Native American, the unborn child, the poor and unreached children (Free Camp), the hungry, those in prison, and the veteran who feels ignored and/or forgotten. It was indeed received.
This was our 17th year riding and our 16th year serving this great cause. A ride where 42 men and women, all wearing Mission M25 vests, rode anywhere from 2,500 - 7,000 miles on a motorcycle or in a truck, with the mission, BALNAM, Be A Light, Not A Mouth. If it was handing out a bottle of water, picking up a broken bike, going to a hospital with an injured rider, or having a prayer for a person who just rode 100+ miles to honor a loved one who was deceased in the Missing Man formation or simply walking thru the crowd with a smile and a handshake or hug, our desire was for Jesus to be reflected in our attitude and/or service.
Mission M25 would like to thank those who so faithfully served the mission with finances, which helped this mission happen. Thanks so much to those of you who followed us in prayer.
Mission M25 would also like to thank the men and women who lost time at their jobs, ministries, and families to make this happen. Each one of the individuals was out a great deal of money getting to California and/or home. Thank you for your sacrifice, up to three weeks for some of you.
Mission M25 would like to express deep appreciation to the churches that fed the entire group of riders a meal, Bizzel Grove PHC in Princeton, NC; Christian Heritage Church in Amarillo, TX and The Journey Church in Siler City, NC. Cornerstone Conference stepped up in an emergency and fed the entire Mid Route in Asheville, NC, at the last minute - thank you.
Mission M25 would also like to thank the three Sr. Chaplains, Southern Route, Dustin Taylor, aka Leatherneck; Mid-Route Gary Whaley, aka Chief and Sandbox Route Brandon McCray, aka 5-0. The three of them did an outstanding job of representing Jesus to the people, the BOD of RFTW, and their riders and did an awesome job of leading in some challenging situations. Job well done, brothers!
We could consume many pages of testimonies, pages filled with hurting people asking for prayer, answered prayers of healing, thanking us for prayers. In one meeting, a man stood and thanked a couple of our team members for ‘helping them get to the other side of the bridge’ (he explained, from hating God to trusting in God). Some came and shared from 10 and 15 years back for our efforts to give loved ones hope before they passed, for bringing peace into their homes, and even had a lady come and thank us for returning her husband. God has done things we will never know this side of glory!
Finally, when there is so much confusion and political unrest, it is great to do something positive to honor the patriotic spirit in our country. Mission M25 is blessed to be able to do something we feel the Lord is smiling from heaven and saying, “You warriors are making such a positive stand to ‘dress and keep’ the garden of the USA that I have given you!” Praise be to our Lord for the opportunity, the commitment of men and women, the church that supported us, and His grace to help us succeed.
***Visit www.m25.org to learn more about this ministry
